We asked Microsoft why that is, but it wouldn’t say. What about if you want to buy Office 2016 outright as a standalone version, like Microsoft Office has always been sold? Office 2016 for Mac will become available as a one-time purchase option in September, though Microsoft isn’t yet ready to share pricing or an exact launch date. Just head to /student to check if you’re eligible. Like other Microsoft Office products, Office 2016 for Mac is available at a substantial discount or even for free if you’re a student. There is one way to reduce the cost: Go get an education. If you’re paying for Office 365 Personal ($60 per year), Office 365 Home ($80 per year), or Office 365 ProPlus ($12 per user per month for one year) you can now go to /myaccount, sign in, and follow the installation instructions. Office 2016 for Mac is now available in 139 countries and 16 languages, but you’ll need to be an Office 365 subscriber to get it.